Tieberghien, Julie
2014.
The role of the media in the science-policy nexus. Some critical reflections based on an analysis of the Belgian drug policy debate (1996–2003).
International Journal of Drug Policy,
Vol. 25,
Issue. 2,
p.
276.

Stevens, Alex
and
Ritter, Alison
2013.
How can and do empirical studies influence drug policies? Narratives and complexity in the use of evidence in policy making.
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy,
Vol. 20,
Issue. 3,
p.
169.

This paper explores bias in the use of evidence in policy. It argues that existing models of the evidence–policy relationship neglect the tendency for attention to be paid only to that evidence helpful to the interests of powerful social groups. An evolutionary analogy is used to explain how this bias arises, without the need for irrationality or conspiracy on the part of policy makers. Examples are given in the fields of drug, asylum and other policies, and the possible responses by researchers to the biased use of research evidence are discussed.